Coin-controlled apparatus



Dec. 13, 1927.

-H. WALKER COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet. 1

Filed Nov. 27, 1925 @Wome- H. WALKER COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS FiledNov. 27, -1,925 3 Sheets-Sheet? I 1,652,919 H. WALKER COIN CONTROLLEDAPPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I Filed Nov. 27. 1925 I to said blade. Theratchet wheel is rotated Patented Dec. 13, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. V

HARRY WALKER, OF OIL CITY, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE AS-SIGNMEN TS, TO NATIONAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY OF AMERICA, OF OIL CITY,LOUISIANA, A CORPORATION DELAWARE.

COIN -CONTROLLED APPARATUS.

Application filed November 27, 1925. Serial No. 71,816.

This invention-relates to an improved coin controlled'apparatus which isespecially, although not necessarily, designed for use in associationwith electric player pianos, sound reproducing machines, or othersimilar coin actuated musical instruments.

My principal aim is to generally improve upon structures of thischaracter by providing one possessing substantially all ofthe featuresof known marketed and patented structures, of this class, together witha novel arrangement of details and parts serving to produce aconstruction which is a decided improvement upon such structures.

Briefly, the invention comprises a comparatively small casing forming ahousing for an electric switch which is adapted to start and stop anelectric motor at predetermined intervals. ablyv of the knife type andthe pivoted blade thereof is actuated by a ratchet wheel which isrotatably mounted in the casing adjacent in a forward direction by aspring. The wheel is returned, however, through the medium of a novelintermittently operable resetting mechanism. A pivoted spring held dogserves to hold the wheelstationary.

In addition to these parts there is a highlypractical and exceptionallynovel-multiple coin actuating device associated with the ratchet wheelin a manner for controlling the degree of forward movement of thiswheel, this device being constructed in a manner to accommodate aplurality of different denominations of coins, and the structure beingsuch that it serves to limit the movement of the ratchet wheel so thatit is only allowed to travel a distance propor tionate to the aggregatevalue of the coins utilized.

I am aware of the fact that it is not new in a structure of this classto provide a con- In the improved arrangement herein specilicallydescribed, the construction is such "quarter. r This switch is prefer--that it allows a reasonable number of different denommations of coins tobe utilized in succession, and permits the coins to be inthe aggregatevalue ofthe coins inserted,

regardless of the order of insertion of the coins. I provide, thereforea structure,

which permits the' playing of a single selection for a singlenickel,'two selections for a dime, and if desired, six selectlons for aThe foregoing is accomplished, as before intimated, by a novelarrangement of details wherein the details themselves are of newconstruction to insure the provision of a practical, positive, andhighly successful apparatus.

The various other features and advantages derived from the new.construction,

will become apparent from the following description and drawings. 7

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application andvinwhich llke numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame:-

Figure 1 1s a side view 'ofthe casing with the cover plate removed asshowin the internal structure, the parts being in t eir-normal positionswith the electric switch shown open. i

Fig. 2 'is a horizontal section taken approx mately upon the plane ofthe line 2-2 of Flg. 1, looking downwardly.

Fig. .3 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing one of the partsof the multiple coin controlled device in action.

Fig. 4 is a view very much like Fig. 3 with the portion of theratchetwheel broken away,

with thepart of the coin controlled device trip ed and one ofthe detailsthereof in a furt er stage'in its operation.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are similar views of details of the coin controlleddevice.

Fig. 8 is a reverse side view of the structure shown in Fig, 7. i i

Fi 9 is a vertical section taken approximate y upon the plane of theline 9 -'9- of Fig. 10 is a view in section and elevation of the springrotated ratchet wheel. i

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a port on of one ofthe arms of the coincontrol device,

I and commodate' a removable closing plate (not shown). As beforeindicated, there is a special ratchet wheel 2 rotatably mounted in thiscasing at a predetermined point. Although this ratchet wheel can beconstructed otherwise,'it is preferably inthe form of a metal stamping(see Fig. 10), including a disk. having right angularly extendingperipheral teeth 3. These teeth are preferably bent to extend somewhatradially with respect to the axis of rotation. Moreover, the

teeth are comparatively wide in order to serve a purpose to behereinafter described. Removably held against the inner side of the diskof the ratchet wheel is a metal cup 4 in which a flat spring 5 ishoused. The spring is anchored upon the'hub and diskas shown in Fig. lsothat it tends to normally rotate the ratchet wheel in a direction fromright to left. As plainly evident from Figs.

2'and 9, the disk of the wheel is provided with an outstanding pin 6.This pin is adapted to engage the beveled lower endof a depending part 7on a, pivotally mounted switch blade 8. As before indicated, thisbladecooperates with an appropriate socket 9, which, together with the bladeforms a.

substantially conventional knife switch. Both parts 8 and 9 are formedwith binding posts 10 and 11 with which electricwires (not shown) areadapted to be connected. These wires are included in a motor circuit. Asthe device is preferably used in association with an electric playerpiano, it will be seen that this motor is the one which serves tooperate the recording paper roll. To those .skilled in the art. it iswell known that the recordroll travels over a common tracker bar andappropriate i'neansis provided on the roll and bar to control the numberof selecftions to be played.

Hence. the motor is intermittently operated thru the action of theswitch'and the switch'is operated according to the amount of moneydeposited in the apparatus.

Normally, the ratchet wheel is in the position shown in Fig. 1 with thepin engaged with the part 7, thus holding the switch 12 open. A coiledspring 13 controls the switch when it is released. In close cooperativere-' 'fraud preventing device,

lation with the ratchet wheel is a retaining pawl 14. Thisis of theconstruction plainly shown in Fig. 12. 1 Referring to Fig. 12 it will beseen that it comprises a strip having an especially constructed endportion 15 pivotally mounted upon a pivot pin 16. The strip is disposedvertically, and is provided with'a tooth 17 and a stop 18. A spring 19is connected with the pawl and anchored at a suitable place to normallymove the pawl into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel. I Asshown more plainlyin Fig. 1, the resetting mechanism for returning theratchet wheel in a direction from left to right to its normal position,comprises a pneumatic in the form of a conventional bellows 20 arrangedin the casing and carrying an upstanding bracket 21. This bracket inturn, is provided with a horizontally disposed arm .22 having its freeend portion fashioned to engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel. Asuitable spring 28 is connected with the parts -21 and 22 and a stop pin24 is also provided. An air pipe 25 is connected to the neumatic. It isobviousithat when suction is produced through the pipe 25, the bellowsis collapsed moving the upper hinged leaf downwardly and acting toproject the arm 22 in a manner to engage it with the ratchet teeth andto impart a rotary'thrust to the ratchet wheel. In connection with thisreset mechanism, it should be known that the pneumatic device is not anessential feature.

Instead, a manually; controlled device of suitable desi nmay e utilized.

Disposed inside of the casing adjacent the top are three coin chutes 26,27 and 28. The coins are adapted to gravitate downwardly through thechutes and into the passageway 29, from where they enter a suitabledeposit box, (not shown). It will be noted that the chutes are ofdifferent sizes to accommodate. different. sized coins. In the presentinstance, I prefer to utilize a nickel, a dime, and quarter as the coinactuating means. In this connection. I might state that a special i'randpreventing entrance or depository is used in association with thestructure herein shown and described, and this serves to assort anddeliver the coins to the proper chute. This iowever, constitutes .no artof the present invention, but is made t e subject matter of a eo-pendingapplication Serial No. 71.815.filed November 29, 1925. As previouslyindicated. -anioutstanding feature of the present structure is a novelmultiple coin controlled device which serves to control the action ofthe ratchet wheel. Broadly, this device is constructed in a manner togi-zcommodate a plurality of different denominations of coins, and itembodies a plurality of separate parts which are mounted for indeso thatwhen a plurality of coins. are inserted in succession into the chute,they will gravitate down through the chute, and

actuate these parts in quick succession to allow the ratchetwheel totravel a distance which is ,measured according to the total value of allof the coins inserted. Specifically, the device comprises threesubstantially duplicate arms indicated by the reference characters 30,31,.and 32 respectively. These arms are pivoted intermediate their endsupon the pivot pin 33 and the left hand ends of the arms are directedupwardly on an arcuate line and terminate in heads. Also extendingupwardly into the depression for the arms are pawl releasing extensions34.

- The end portions of the arm indicated at 35 terminate in what may bedesignated as coin receiving pockets 36. All of the pockets .are ofduplicate design. Thesepockets terminate directly beneath the severalcoin chutes and operate in guideways formed in the guide member 37 (seeFig. 1). Referring now to the opposite end of the arms, it will be seenthat these operate in slots formed in an especial inclined guide bracketindicated generally at 38. Also, mounted on the headed ends of the armare separate and independent checks 39, 40 and 41, (see Figs. 5, 6and*7). These checks are somewhat in the form of toothed segments ordisks which are pivotally mounted on the headed arm as shown. Each oneis provided with an appropriate stop 42. The check carried by the-arm 30is provided with one tooth, the check 40 is provided with two teeth, andthe remaining check 41 is provided with six teeth. In this connection itwill be noticedthat each one of the checks includes a tooth whichactually meshes with, the teeth of the ratchet wheel during thebperation of the device, and also ineludes what may be designated as animitation tooth. This also meshes with the teeth of the ratchet wheel,but its function is to literally kick the check over to a position topermit it to be readily released from the ratchet wheel to drop, bygravity, down to normal ineffective position. In Fig. 3, thisrelationship of parts is shown, and in Fig. 4, we see the ratchet wheelengaged with the imitationtooth on the check 39 as it just about tobecome disengaged from the'ratchet wheel. The first named check 39cooper-' from the ratchet wheel.' In fact, these twochecks arethemselves'weighted so that when not in operation, they assume theposition in Figs. 5 and 6. As the check 41 has a greater distance torotate in its action, grav- 'ity alone is not depended upon and aspeengaged with the depending part7 and that the other parts of thedevice are in the posi tion shown, it will be seen that in order toclose the switch, it is necessary for the ratchet wheel to turn in adirection from right to left to disengage the pin 6 from the part 7.This will allow the'spring 13 to pull the.

switch arm downwardly to engage it with .the socket 9. Should it bedesired to permit the playing of a single selection on a into the coinreceiving pocket 36 carried by the arm 30. The impact and weight of thenickel will swing, this arm about the pivot 23 and will bring the checksegment 39 into engagement with an adjacent tooth on the ratchet wheel.-At the .same time, that the,

check is so engaged with the ratchet wheel, the extension 34 carried bythis arm will engage'the stop-18 on the retaining pawl 14, thussimultaneously disengaging the pawl .for the time being. t y

With the parts in this relation, the action of the spring for rotatingthe ratchet wheel will serve to turn thetoothed rotatable segment 39 ina direction from right to left. This segment, owing to the stop 42, isonly allowed to swing or rotate a very slight. distance, With thisarrangement, it will be seen that the ratchet wheel will be limited inits movement so that it rotates a single step or a distance of onetooth. Now, in order that the switch may be again opened after thesingle selection has been played, it will be necessary that theresetting mechanism come into play, This is done by the vac- 'uumcreated in the pneumatic bellows 20.

switch up and opens the switch 10. As the check, 40 isprovided with twoteeth instead of a single tooth like check 39, it will be: seen thatthis. contrivance moves substan-' tially twice as far as the check 39.Ohviously, then, if a dime is dropped into the chute 27, the ratchetwheel will, be allowed to travel two steps or twov teeth and it I willthereby require two operations of the intermittent reset mechanism toreturn the ratchet wheel. In this way, two selections may be had for adime. The remaining check is' formed with six teeth so that by insertinga quarter into the remaining chute p and operating the arm 32, and itsrespective segment or check, the ratchet wheel will be allowed to travelsix steps, thereby giving six selections for a quarter. Bymultiplyingthis structure, coins of additional denominations might be accommodated,but it is believed that the three coins mentioned will in operation,foras each coin is dropped .in the quarter slot.

through its respective chute, it operates on the part of the multiplecoin support device to allow the ratchet to travel a distanceproportionate to the value of that particular coin. The outstandingadvantage of the arrangement is that it is not necessary to operate thereset mechanism after insertion of a single coin. Instead, one mayinsert a nickel in the nickel slot, a dime in the dime slot in quicksuccession, and a quarter Therefore, instead of obtainin only sixselections, nine selections will be played. Attention is directed to thefact that with the mechanism described, the operation is positive andonly a single impact-is required to operate each part of the coincontrolled device. It is not necessary to insert coins in any orderlyfashion according to their denominations.

The quarter might be dropped first, the dime" second, and thenickelthird, or in any order.

At the same time the proper number of selections will be automaticallyplayed according to the aggregate amount of money insertedQ Not onlythis, under the arrange ment specified, the ratchet Wheel travelssubstantiall and continuously in the direction from right to left. Ittravels one tooth for a nickel, two teeth for a dime, and six teeth fora quarter. Thus, instead of the switch continuously opening and closingsuch as is the ease with known devices of this kind; the switch openswhen the first nickel is inserted and stays open until all of themoney'has been utilized in playing of proper number of selections.

These and other advantages and features of the invention will no doubtbe plain to those skilled in the art to which the inven-' tion relates.Moreover the accuracy and ;.-ract1cability of a structure of this kindwill be appreciated by such persons, In yiew Havingthus described theinvention, what I claim as new is': r

1. In-al device of the class des'cribed,'1n combination, a springrotated ratchet-wheel adapted to rotate in a forward direction, a

holding dog'for said wheel, an electric circuit closing switch, meanscarried by the j mined intervals, an intermittently operated resettingmechanism for returning the ratchet-wheel to a normal position at a'predetermined time, and a multiple coin actuated device for controllingthe degree of forward movement of the ratchet wheel, said device beingconstructed in a manner .to accommodate and receive a plurality ofdifferent denominations of coins in succession, whereby said ratchetwheel is allowed to turn almost continuously a distance proportionate tothe aggregate value of coins cuit closing switch, means carried by thewheel for operating the-switch at predetermined intervals, anintermittently operated resetting mechanism for returning theratchet-Wheel to a normal position at a predetermined time, and amultiple coin actuated device for controlling the degree of forwardmovement of the ratchet wheel, said device being constructed in a mannerto accommodate and receive a plurality of difi'erent denominations ofcoins in succession, said device embodying a plurality of separate partsmounted for independent operation in quick succession, and each partlimiting the movement of the ratchet wheel to a predetermined distanceof travel, whereb said ratchet .wheel is allowed to turn ahnostcontinuously a distance proportionate to the aggregate value of coinsutilized.

3. In a device of the class described, in combination, a spring rotatedratchet wheel adapted torotate in a forward direction, a retainingdogfor said wheel, an electric circuit closing switch, means carried bythe wheel for operating the switch at predetermined intervals, anintermittently operated resetting mechanism for returning the ratchetwheel in a step-by-step manner to a normal position at a predeterminedtime, and a multiple coin actuated device for controlling the degree offorward movement of the ratchet wheel, said device being provided with aplurality of independent coin chutes for predetermined sizes of coins,and also including a plurality of separate parts mounted for independentoperation in quick succession, said parts cooperating with said chutesand with said ratchet wheel for limiting the rotation of the latter aredetermined distance upon operation of eac part, wherewheel foroperating the switch at predetercoins, a knife-switch in said casing, arotatably mounted ratchet wheel mounted in the casin adjacent theswingable blade of. the

,switc i, said wheel being provided with a pin for opening said switch,means for rotating. the ratchet wheel n a forward dlrection. a

retainingpawl cooperable with the wheel for holding it in a setposition, an intermittently operable resetting mechanism for returningthe ratchet wheel to a normal position, and a plurality of coin actuatedmembers pivotally mounted in the casing adjacent said ratchet wheel forindependent operation,

said members being, rovided with coin re ceiving seats located 1nalignment with said chutes, and being further provided with meanscooperable with the ratchet wheel for limiting the degree of forwardrotation thereof.

5. In a device of the class described, in

combination, a casing, a plurality of coin ing chutes of various sizeslocated in said casing, an, electric switch in the casing, a rotatablymounted ratchet wheel including a spring for rotating it in a forwarddirection, a spring pressed pawl cooperable with the ratchet wheel formaintaining it normally stationary, an intermittently operable resettingmechanism for returning the ratchet wheel in a step-by-step manner to anormal switch opening position, and a multiple coin actuated device insaid casing, said device comprising a plurality of arms pivotallymounted between their ends in said casing, the arms being formed at oneend with coin receiving pockets located in alignment with said chutes,beingprovided at their opposite ends with means cooperable with theteeth of the ratchet wheel for limiting the degree of rotation ofthelatter in a forward direction, and being provided between their endswith release means cooperable with said 6. In a structure of the classdescribed, a special ratchet-wheel for use'in association with a checkcontrolled apparatus of the kind specified, said ratchet wheelcomprising a hub portion constructed to formulate a .spring housing, anda toothed whee said pawl being provided with an angular extension, apivotally mounted arm, a,

v v I awl cooperable with the'teeth of the pivotally mounted checkcarried by one end of the arm and cooperable with the teeth of: theratchet, a coin pocket on the opposite end of the arm, and a'releaseextension carried by the intermediate portion of the arm and cooperablewith the aforesaid extension.

8. In a structure of the class described, in combination, a rotatablymounted ratchet; wheel provided with right angularly extendingcomparatively long teeth, a plurality of: pivotally mounted armsdisposed in side-by-v side relation adjacent said ratchet wheel, and

check elements carried by corresponding ends 'of the arms, and capableof being brought into operative engagement with the teeth of the ratchetWheel.

9. In a structure'of the class described, a multiple coinactuated-device adapted for cooperation with a single toothed ratchetwheel, said device embodying an arm pivotally mounted between its ends,a toothed segnient on one end of the arm cooperable with the teeth ofthe ratchet, a coin pocket on the opposite end of the arm, and anupstanding releasing extension on the intermediate portion of the arm.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, a casing, a knife switch inthe casing, a rotatably mounted ratchet Wheel inthe casing locatedadjacent said switchand provided with a switch controllingpin, a springcooperable with the ratchet wheel for rotating it in one direction, apivotally mounted spring pressed pawl cooperablewith the ratchet wheelfor. hol ing it in a set position.

a plurality of different sized chutes located adjacent the pawl, aresetting mechanism separate and'independent from the pawl andcooperable with the latter, and a multiple coin actuated devicecooperable with the ratchet wheel for limiting the degree of movement inone direction and for simultaneously disengaging said pawl.

11. In a coin controlled apparatus of the character designed, a make andbreak device adapted to control an electric circuit, an element movablestep by step in opposite directions to and from a predeterminedposition, said element bein normally positioned to break the circuits insaid predetermined position, meansv for automatically moving saidelement in one of said directions, co n tripped means for checking theelement 1n said one direction, said last means being constructed toaccommodate a plurality of differentdenominations of coins insuccession, .whereby said element 1s allowed to move in said onedirection a distance proportionate to the aggregate value of coinsutilized, and means forreturnmg sa1d element to circuit breakingposition after a predetermined uninterrupted period of circuitact1v1ty.-

. 12. In a coin controlled apparatus of the character, defined, a makeand break device adapted to control an electric circuit, an 'elellllment movable step-by-step in opposite directions to and from circuitclosing position, a member carried by said element and cooperable withsaid make and break'device to actuate the latter to open the circuit ina predetermined position beyond said circuit closing position, saidelement being normally positioned to break the circuit in saidpredetermined position, means for automatically moving said element inone of said directions, coin tripped means for checking the movement ofthe element in said one direction, said coin tripping means embodying. aplurality of separate coin actuated parts constructed in a mannertoreceive a plurality of difl'erent de-.

nominations of coins in succession in order to. allow said element tomove substantially 'uninterruptedly in said one direction a distanceproportionate to the aggregate value of coins utilized. and mechanismfor-returning said element in a step by step manner to saidpredetermined position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARRY WALKER.

